Special-tax programs report: tax-and-insurers and alcoholic beverage revenues above forecasts

Summary

Laurel Williams reported modest account growth in the tax-and-insurers program (2,829 accounts) and stable alcoholic beverage program counts (10,751 accounts). Department of Finance bulletins show FY25–26 revenues above forecast for both programs, but Williams noted cyclical payment timing often brings year-end totals closer to projections.

Laurel Williams, technical advisor for special tax programs, updated the board on two programs: tax-and-insurers and the alcoholic beverage tax.

She said the tax-and-insurers program had 2,829 accounts (an increase of roughly 15–18 accounts). According to the Department of Finance's September 2025 bulletin, FY25–26 revenues for that program were approximately $937,000,000, about 12.4% ($103,000,000) above forecast.

For the alcoholic beverage tax program, Williams reported 10,751 accounts, with revenue for FY25–26 at just over $79,000,000—approximately $3,000,000 (3.9%) above forecast. She noted opt-in/opt-out rates for wine-grower and beer-manufacturer returns—approximately 65% and 57%, respectively—and emphasized that revenue timing is cyclical; past years showed early overperformance that landed near projections at year-end.

Williams concluded that both programs remain highly compliant and invited questions; no appeals or board actions were presented.